The attorney-general’s office in Cyprus has appointed two investigators, Ninos Kekkos and George Papaioannou, to examine criminal offenses related to an ongoing scandal involving monks. MPs have urged the money laundering unit (Mokas) to investigate the church following revelations about monks paying for social media posts to increase cash flow. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis has committed to a thorough investigation of the scandal. Allegations have emerged involving the far-right Elam party leader Christos Christou, former police chief Kypros Michaelides, Mokas, and the police. Concerns were raised about €800,000 in cash found at the Osiou Avvakoum monastery and the handling of the money. MPs have suggested that the church might be involved in money laundering, citing donations from Russian oligarchs and Malaysian businessman Jho Low. The church’s financial dealings, including those with foreign donors, are under scrutiny, with calls for a more rigorous investigation into the source of the funds. There are also allegations of police misconduct in the handling of the money transfer operation related to the scandal.
